Ayesha Rascoe is the host of Weekend Edition Sunday and the weekend host of Up First. As host of the morning news magazine show, she interviews newsmakers, entertainers, politicians and more about the stories that everyone is talking about or that everyone should be talking about.
Rascoe is also the editor of HBCU Made: A Celebration of the Black College Experience, a book of essays about the impact of historically Black colleges and universities. Rascoe is an alumnae of Howard University, an HBCU in Washington, D.C.
Known for her southern roots and signature wit, Rascoe has been a mainstay on NPR's programs since joining the outlet in 2018.
Weekend Edition Sunday features interviews with newsmakers, artists, scientists, politicians, musicians, writers, theologians and historians. The program has covered news events from Nelson Mandela's 1990 release from a South African prison to the capture of Saddam Hussein.
Weekend Edition Sunday debuted on January 18, 1987, with host Susan Stamberg. Two years later, Liane Hansen took over the host chair, a position she held for 22 years.
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Anthony Kuhn/NPRThrough civic participation and liberal education, South Korean educators hope to "quietly stitch the fabric of our democracy…before it unravels beyond repair." -
Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty ImagesFollowing Tuesday's "blue wave," Democrats have vowed to reign in ICE's power. What could they actually accomplish?
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The secretive software company has been accused of letting its powerful tools be used by the Trump administration to surveil Americans. Now it's hiring former Sen. Jon Tester to burnish its image. -
Lawmakers are coming back to Washington this week after the midterm elections. Republicans plan to finish work on several outstanding issues before Democrats take control of Congress in January. -
The Supreme Court considers the case of a prisoner who suffered brutal injuries, only to be denied medical care behind bars. He wants to sue the prison nurse in a case that could change the law on holding federal officers accountable. -
Countries are gathering in Antalya, Turkey, for the annual U.N. climate conference. Many are frustrated with the lack of focus on fossil fuels, the main driver of climate change. -
President Trump shakes up his staff after midterm losses, Congress returns to Washington, Nvidia launches investigation into CEO's alleged relationship with Chinese spy.
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NPR's Leila Fadel speaks with Léa Seydoux about her new film Gentle Monster, in which she plays a concert pianist whose life falls apart after her husband is accused of a crime.
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Israel's president has tapped Benjamin Netanyahu's chief political rival, Gadi Eisenkot, to form a new government following an inconclusive election that left the country's leadership in limbo.
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Vice President JD Vance is looking to recast his political fortune after serving as the Trump administration's No. 2 while his party suffered a historic wipeout.
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Pope Leo heads today for Argentina after wrapping up a three day tour of Uruguay where he spoke out for victims of the church's sex abuse and advocated for global peace.
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As France heads toward a presidential election, Marine Le Pen's far-right party is gaining support. How much has it changed — and could the street violence help revive its extremist past?
